Hello BVN Band!

It feels strange to be sending a Band Update right before I head out to a few days of break… but I thought it good to distrubte the details about our upcoming State Football Pep Band (THIS saturday!!) AND December 9th livestream concert out now, so you can process them at your convenience.  

https://bvnbands.wixsite.com/bv-north-bands/bvn-band-update

Thank you for your careful reading of the details for our State Football Pep Band Performance this Saturday, and looking ahead to the second week of December and our livestreamed BVN Band Concert!

There are a lot of details in this update, and they will remain on the Band Update website until they are old news.  So – have a read now, then take a break for thanksgiving!  Come back after Thanksgiving and have another read, and we'll be in good shape for a wonderful December.

My best to you and your family over this break.  Enjoy the time, be responsible, and even though we're all keeping our cirlces a little smaller this year, know that you are loved and supported by the full BVN Band Family!  While it has been anything but a normal year in band, I am still energized and optimistic about our future, because of each one of our amazing band students!  Please be safe and smar this break, so we can have years and years more with all of our family and friends.  

All the best,
Mr. Freeman

–Begin Copy of Band Update–

Band Update – 11/24/2020

From the Directors

Happy Thanksgiving week to everyone!  I hope everyone takes some time to rest and recharge this week.  Put away the laptops and phones and enjoy time with your family – and, most of all – take a break!!  We are all living through a strange and stressful time, please make sure to use this time to take a breath and take care of yourselves.   At the risk of sounding cheesy, I am so very thankful for each and every one of our band students, and I am SO excited to come back next week and prep for a performance!!

Before we all take that break, please take a moment to look ahead/past Thanksgiving, as we have actual, real performances!!!  State FB Pep Band on Saturday 11/28, and our livestreamed concert on December 9th!  Thank you for your careful reading of the details below.  It's exciting to have a couple of performances on the horizon!!

Musically yours,

Mr. Freeman

State Championship Pep Band!

Congratulations to our Mustang Football team!  3 State Championship Game appearances in 4 years…. WOW!!   It's even more remarkable when you add this context:  during my first three years at BVN (just 10-8-9 years ago), our FB team won just one game in three years… then 3 years of building and now 3 state championship games in 4 years.  WOW!

Our Mustangs will be playing for the state title against Derby at 1:00 PM on Saturday, 11/28/2020.  This year, the State Championship game is local – at the “C-BAC” (The Olathe District Football Stadium at Olathe Northwest – the “College Boulevard Activities Complex”).

We will provide a voluntary pep band for the event.  Here are the details:

Covid precautions:  

  • We will be seated in our own area behind one of the end zones, so we will be well away from any crowds.

  • We will also follow all of our mitigation/safe music making protocols.

 

Schedule/Details for Saturday, 11/28/2020

  • Students: CLICK HERE to sign up to join the band.  This is the same form we have had out for the past couple of days – no need to re-do it if you have already completed it.

  • Students/Families will need to provide their own transportation

  • Uniform for the day is the BVN Band 1/4 zip and Jeans.  Watch weather and bring jackets/coats as needed.  Current forecasts are sunny and 51 – a great fall afternoon!

  • Noon:  Call time for all band members:

    • We will meet in the East parking lots of CBAC, located just northwest of the intersection of College Boulevard and Lone Elm in Olathe.

    • CLICK HERE for a map of where we'll meet.  Enter the parking lots from Lone Elm Street.  Look for the band trailer and/or gatherings of band students and come to us.

  • Move in to the stadium, and be set up/ready to perform by 12:30.

  • 1:00 – Game Kickoff.  Perform pep tunes as normal during pre-game, during the game, halftime, etc.  There will not be any “show” from the track or the field.

  • 4:00 – estimated finish.  (we'll have students send texts with estimated pick up times as the game progresses)

  • MUSIC:  ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING THE BVN PEP BAND BOOKS WITH THEM! 

    • MAB members have these from the MAB season – don't forget them! 

    • Non-MAB Members:  we will have extra pep books with us, OR you can print our pep band books, which are linked in the music and resources page in Canvas.  Print pages 1-25… it's unlikely we'll play anything from the back half of the book.

 

A note for Percussion/Color Guard:

  • BATTERY PERCUSSION is CRITICAL to this kind of performance – so we need a good battery section

    • Percussion equipment has been loaded on the trailer and will be waiting for you at the stadium.

    • ATTENTION MAB BATTERY PERCUSSIONISTS – please bring your harnesses and stadium hardware! 

  • FRONT ENSEMBLE PERCUSSION performers are welcome to join!  You will be given a battery instrument to play!  Bring Sticks/Mallets!!

  • COLOR GUARD MEMBERS are welcome to join us, but there will not be a color guard performance.

 

PARENTS:  if you wish to attend the game, you can purchase tickets HERE through the Wednesday at Noon.  That link is available only to BVN families.  General admission tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon, and our BVN link closes at that time.  Attendance is being capped at 50% of stadium capacity and masks and social distancing are required at all times.

BVN BANDS LIVE-STREAMED CONCERT

12/9/2020, 7 PM

We are excited to feature our Band Students in a live-streamed concert!  No in-person audience is allowed, but you can enjoy the performance from your living room.

The overall plan:

  • All students will perform in-person.  We will follow all of the safety protocols that we follow in classes, (which means the event will be short, among many other details).

  • We will livestream via youtube.  Youtube link to be shared closer to the concert.

  • Livestream begins at 7 PM, with the following concert order

    • Jazz Band

    • The BVN “Spicy Pumpkins” perform “Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance”

    • The BVN “Salty Caramels” perform “Havana Nights”

    • The Combined BVN Bands perform “Hallelujah” and Sleigh Ride

    • The BVN Senior Ensemble performs “Greensleeves”

DETAILS FOR STUDENTS:  Rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday 12/7 and 12/8, concert on Wednesday 12/9.  CLICK HERE for Spicy Pumpkins/Salty Caramels Roster.  Reminder that VirtualEd Band Students and 3rd hour Band Members are in the Spicy Pumpkins.

 

Monday 12/7:

  • Jazz Ensemble: 

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00 in the PAC

  • BVN Senior Ensemble:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30 in the PAC

    • The Senior Ensemble is ALL BVN Band Seniors combined with a handful of sophomores and juniors.  Non-seniors: Please check the Part Assignments linked in canvas to see if you have been assigned to assist the senior ensemble.

Tuesday 12/8: 

  • Spicy Pumpkins, 3:15 – 4:30:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00: percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

  • Salty Caramels, 4:45 – 6:00:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 4:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 5:00 – 5:30:  Percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 5:30 – 6:00:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

Wednesday 12/9:

  • 6:15 PM:  Band Room door open for check-in.

  • 6:45 PM:  All students checked-in.  by 6:50 All students should be in the auditorium ready to play!

  • 7 PM: Concert Starts!

  • 7:40: Concert Finishes.  9th-11th grade Band Students Dismissed.  SENIORS stay to take senior band photos that will be used for senior banners and possibly other uses.  ALL Seniors should stay to take the pictures.  

    • COLOR GUARD SENIORS – please come at 7:30 to take your Band senior pictures.

CONCERT UNIFORM is “Concert Black”

As has been announced in the summer band newsletter, we are switching to a “concert black” look this year, rather than tuxes and dresses.  This is a more modern look that many performing groups have changed to over the past 15 years.  Performers are more comfortable and still look sharp.  We did this for our Kaufman performance last year, and it was wonderful.  The concert uniform will be provided by each student.  If you have any concerns, let us know and we can help!  Here are the details:

 

CONCERT ATTIRE WILL BE CONCERT BLACK.  Not Tuxes! 

This means:  Head to Toe Black at a Semi-Formal/Formal Level with an emphasis on modesty.

TOP:  Black Dress Shirt or Blouse:

  • Girls:  At least ¾ length sleeves/shoulders covered.  Shirts/Blouses do not need to be collared as long as they are dress shirts.  Nothing low cut, please.

  • Boys:  Plain Black button-down long-sleeve dress shirt with a collar. Shirt is to remain tucked-in at all times.

BOTTOMS:  Black Skirt or Dress Pants

  • Girls:  Black Skirt or Dress Pants.  Skirt must be floor length when seated.  No Jeans or Leggings. (leggings are not suitable dress pants).

  • Boys:  Black Slacks

SHOES/SOCKS:

  • Girls:  Black dress shoes or all-black tennis shoes.  Closed Toed Flats Preferred.  Black Hose/socks as necessary.

  • Boys:  Black dress shoes or all-black tennis shoes.  Plain black socks that extend mid-way up the calf.

Return to Remote…

The First two weeks of December in the Band!

CLICK HERE FOR THE DECEMBER REMOTE SCHEDULE!

 

11/30 – 12/4/2020

Monday, November 30th:

  • Even Block Schedule

Tuesday, December 1st

  • Odd Block Schedule

Wednesday, December 2nd

  • Even Block Schedule

Thursday, December 3rd:

  • Odd Block Schedule

Friday, December 4th

  • Even Block Schedule

12/7 – 12/11/2020

Monday, December 7th

  • Odd Block Schedule

  • After School Rehearsals, in-person

  • Jazz Ensemble: 

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00 in the PAC

  • BVN Senior Ensemble:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30 in the PAC

    • The Senior Ensemble is ALL BVN Band Seniors combined with a handful of sophomores and juniors.  Non-seniors: Please check the Part Assignments linked in canvas to see if you have been assigned to assist the senior ensemble.

Tuesday, 12/8

  • Even Block Schedule

  • After school rehearsals, in-person

  • Spicy Pumpkins, 3:15 – 4:30:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00: percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

  • Salty Caramels, 4:45 – 6:00:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 4:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 5:00 – 5:30:  Percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 5:30 – 6:00:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

Wednesday, 12/9

  • Odd Block Schedule

  • BVN Band Live-Streamed Concert!

    • 6:15:  Check-in begins at band room.

    • 6:45:  Check-in finished/All students here.  by 6:50 – all students in PAC ready to perform.

    • 7 PM – livestream begins!

    • 7:40:  done.  Senior band members stay for pictures.

Thursday, 12/10

  • Even Block Schedule

Friday, 12/11

  • Odd Block Schedule

REMINDERS:

(All of this has been previously distributed, but is still good to re-read and remember!)

Congratulations on your BVN Band auditions! CLICK HERE for Spring Band Rosters and info.  As you know, anytime an audition occurs, there will be students on both sides of the emotional spectrum. Some happy, and some disappointed, please remember to be understanding of your peers regardless of how the auditions ended up for you. You should all be proud of your accomplishment!

Check out the BVN Fall E-Activity Guide!  This is usually distributed at all activities each fall, this year it has been distributed electronically, and includes several wonderful pages for the MAB, along with some good pictures!!

 

The Band WoodShed is now complete – but students can still submit recordings for full credit.  ESPECIALLY level 6 audition recordings – get those in!!

PARENTS – Please consider joining our BVN Parent Booster Club!  The PBC has already given GREAT support to the Band this year, and will continue to do so in the future.  YOUR membership makes this possible.  And, some funding decisions impacting the band will be made in the near future – a good influx of band families renewing memberships or joining during this time will be great optics for the band!  THANK YOU!!

 

2020-2021 BVN Band Shutterfly – CLICK HERE to join the 20-21 Shutterfly page and share/view great pictures of the Band!

MAB Members – order your pictures!  CLICK HERE to order the formal pictures we had taken at the DAC on 10/16.  Every Member of MAB had an individual picture taken, which will be edited together into a group photo.

 

Safe Music Making During Covid: Covid has made our rehearsals look a lot different.  CLICK HERE to read about Safe Rehearsing in the Covid-Era.

 

BAND DUES and BAND FORMS are now past due:  Band Dues are $200 for all band members. 

  • Submission instructions are in the complete forms packet.  

  • The Student info/dues form can be completed in hard copy or by clicking here.

  • The Health, Media, Transportation, and Substance Abuse forms must be completed in hard copy.

  • The Parent info form can be completed in hard copy, but we HIGHLY recommend you complete it electronically.  Open the forms packet for instructions.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ALL DISTRICT BAND MEMBERS:

Flute: 

  • Hannah Chong (Red) 

  • Emily Nelson (Blue)

  • Grace Burgett (Blue)

Bassoon:

  • Madhu Parthasarathy (Red, 3 year member!)

Clarinet

  • John Muldoon (Gold)

  • Megan VanderLeest (Gold, 3 year member!)

  • Audrey Beckman (Blue)

  • Keaton Alexander (Red)

  • Quinn Koffman (Red)

Bass Clarinet:

  • Miles Kim (Red.  Also worth noting – Miles also auditioned on Clarinet and also earned clarinet position, but earned a higher chair on Bass Clarinet.  Go Miles!!)

Alto Saxophone:

  • Harry Wang (Gold)

  • Lauren Jenkins (Red)

  • Junie Ko (Red)

Trumpet:

  • Oliver Zhang (Gold)

  • Luke Bechard (Gold)

  • Ethan Burnett (Blue)

  • Devereaux Knight (Red)

  • Christine O'Brien (Blue)

  • Richard Koulen (Jazz)

French Horn:

  • Jack Graham (Red)

Trombone:

  • Jacob Lippe (Blue)

  • Nolan Call (Blue)

Euphonium:

  • David Stutz (Red)

  • Eddie Mu (Red)

Tuba:

  • Joseph Madigan (Gold, 3 year member)

  • Logan Amato (Gold)

Percussion:

  • Sam Waggoner, Snare (Gold)

  • Michael Chong, Snare (Gold)

  • Hyesoo Song, Mallets (Blue)

  • Grant Ellis, Mallets (Blue)

Also worth mentioning – Congrats to our dual threat students! Color Guard Member Madison Dean earned placement in the ECKMEA District Honor Choir, and Percussionist Gabriel Decker also plays a mean String Bass and earned placement in the District Honor Orchestras.

30 BVN Band Students, 17 BVN Orchestra Students, and 15 BVN Choir Students is an INCREDIBLE showing for BVN, perhaps unprecedented!  Congratulations to ALL students who auditioned for these groups.  It is a very competitive audition.  Well Done!!!